49 - Hannah Ensor (UK) on the HMSA, Stickman Communications, and More

On this episode, Kerry interviews Hannah Ensor regarding her work with the Hypermobility Syndromes Association (the HMSA) and Stickman Communications. Hannah is based in the United Kingdom and she worked in the field of Environmental Health for five years before being medically retired at age 28 due to a hypermobility spectrum disorder and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Even though Hannah had symptoms of hypermobility throughout her life, she wasn’t diagnosed until she discovered the HMSA and it was the information and support that she received from the HMSA that led her to the right diagnosis and to a course of treatment to manage her conditions. Hannah also created Stickman Communications, a company that uses cartoon drawings of stickmen to break down the barriers to communicating positively yet realistically about a wide range of disabilities, needs, and symptoms. Her products, blogs, and talks are used worldwide by people with disabilities and medical professionals. Hannah has volunteered for the Hypermobility Syndromes Association since 2010 and was featured in the ‘Power 100’ list of Britain’s most influential people with a disability or impairment in 2016 and 2017. Hannah is now an ex-trustee of the HMSA after stepping down in December 2021 although she continues to volunteer in other roles. Links: HMSA: https://www.hypermobility.org/ Stickman Communications: https://stickmancommunications.co.uk/